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Maggie glances toward me. “Female security?”

“Former Secret Service. I vetted her personally.”

She nods slowly. “That's probably easier for Ivy.”

I continue before anyone can suggest reducing security. “Agent Ramirez will remain inside the school. Two additional men will remain nearby throughout the day. Luka handles transportation personally. Dance school security remains unchanged. No one other than Maggie, myself, Luka, Viktor, or Agent Ramirez may collect Ivy.”

Maggie sets down her coffee. “Alexei, don't you think all this might make her feel different from the other kids?”

“I would rather she complain about security for the next ten years than spend one day without it.”

Maggie's eyes fill with understanding rather than argument. She reaches beneath the table and threads her fingers through mine.

An hour later, our SUV pulls beneath the covered entrance at Ivy's school. Children hurry toward the building carrying backpacks almost as large as they are. Parents stand talking near the entrance. Teachers greet students by name.

Agent Ramirez waits beside the front doors, dressed in professional clothing that reveals nothing about her true occupation. As our SUV comes to a stop, she leaves her position by the entrance and walks toward us, attentive without appearing conspicuous.

I step from the vehicle first. Old instincts take over as I assess the exits, sightlines, and every potential threat around the school entrance.

Luka positions himself near the rear passenger door while another security vehicle parks farther along the curb.

Ivy climbs out between Maggie and me. She studies us both, her backpack bouncing against her shoulders as she rocks back and forth on her sneakers.

Then she smiles. “You two look nervous.”

Maggie laughs. “Maybe a little.”

I kneel in front of my daughter, straightening the strap of her backpack even though it doesn’t need adjusting. “You call if you need anything.”

Ivy lets out an exaggerated sigh. “I know.”

“You stay with Agent Ramirez.”

“I know,” she repeats, looking toward the school doors where children stream inside.

“You don’t leave school grounds.”

“Papa.” Ivy drags out the word, her face full of patient exasperation.

I stop.

Before I can add another instruction, Ivy throws her arms around my neck.

“I'll be okay,” she whispers. “Maggie says brave people can still be scared.”

My throat tightens, and I kiss the top of her head. “I love you, solnyshko.”

“I love you too.”

She hugs Maggie next.

Maggie crouches beside her, brushing a curl behind Ivy's ear. “You have fun today, sugar.”

“I will.”

Then Ivy takes Agent Ramirez's hand and heads toward the school entrance without another glance backward.

I watch until she disappears through the doors. Only when she is completely out of sight do I finally exhale.